5 Tree-Based Superfoods You Should Know About
15th November 2024
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A haven for wildlife, shade from the sun, beautiful and calming environments - trees give us some incredible things. But did you know that trees also produce some of the world’s most powerful superfoods?
Trees are amazing sources of sustainable and nutritious food. Certain tree species’ leaves, nuts and fruit are packed with essential things like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
But the trees behind these superfoods are more than just food sources; for communities living in dryland Africa, they’re a crucial and reliable source of food, and help build important resilience to climate change. Trees are also nature’s fertilisers – their roots help to keep soil healthy, making it easier to grow other essential food like staple crops.
Join us for a dive into some of the world’s best tree-based superfoods.
1. Baobab
The baobab – one of Africa’s most iconic trees! Known as the "Tree of Life” for how much water they can store, the baobab’s leaves and fruit are also full of essential nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin C, potassium and protein.
For many communities living in African drylands, harvesting baobab leaves and fruit provides an excellent source or nutrition during the dry season, when food can be hard to come by. Leaves can eaten fresh or after they’ve been dried, and can be made into tasty sauces and soups. Baobab fruit and nectar can even be used make ice cream!
Boababs are one of our top trees for planting in specially designed nutrition gardens, which are small areas of land community-managed land, where trees are grown alongside other vegetables as a sustainable food supply.
2. Moringa
Next up is moringa, often called the "Miracle Tree" due to its impressive nutritional value. Native to parts of Africa and Asia, moringa leaves are filled with iron, calcium, protein, and vitamins A and C. Just 100g of moringa leaves contain as much protein as an egg, as much calcium as a glass of milk, and as much iron as a 200g beef steak.
Moringa powder is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and can be found in different health shops. It’s amazingly versatile - you can add it to soups, smoothies, salads, or even as a tea.
An added benefit of moringa is that they’re fast-growing and drought-resistant. Ready to eat in as little as three months, they’re able to withstand the harshest of climates in African drylands, helping communities to grow a stable source of food in the face of the climate crisis.
3. Shea
Shea is best known for its use in skincare products, but shea nuts are also a vital source of income and nutrition in West Africa. If cared for properly, shea trees grow slowly but can provide a steady, sustainable nut harvest for decades.
Our community-led projects provide training and equipment so that people can process and sell shea butter—a product in high demand globally and prized for its anti-inflammatory skincare benefits, which include fatty acids and Vitamins A and E.
Not only does selling shea butter help boost incomes, but shea butter can be used as a healthy alternative for cooking in place of other oils, adding a unique flavour to dishes!
4. Mango
While we often think of mangoes as a sweet treat, mango trees play an increasingly important role in Africa’s drylands. Known for their juicy fruit, mango trees are remarkably resilient and thrive in arid climates, providing much needed sources of nutrition and income for families across dryland regions.
Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, along with fibre and antioxidants, mangoes aren’t just tasty - they’re a powerhouse of health benefits.
Mangoes can be dried and sold or processed into products like juices and jams, which can be sold in local markets.
5. Cashew
Known for their sweet flavour and distinctive kidney shape, cashew nuts are more than just a tasty snack. Cashews are rich in healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like potassium and calcium.
For families in dryland areas, cashew trees provide a reliable harvest and an important source of income, as the popular nuts can harvested and sold. It takes between 1-2 years before cashew trees begin to fruit, but once they do, they can survive and provide a reliable food and income source for many years.
And it’s not just the nut that is edible – cashews are grown inside cashew ‘apples,’ which can be used to make healthy meals like cashew-apple kebabs, jams and juices.